Rosenberg: Shortage of petrol but not patriotism as Russians feel growing impact of war
Russians are facing worsening petrol shortages, with long queues forming at petrol stations across Moscow and other regions as Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries continue to disrupt fuel supplies. The renewed shortages, described by one Russian newspaper as a "second wave" of the fuel crisis, mark a rare and visible way the war is now affecting ordinary Russians at home, despite the Kremlin's continued framing of the conflict as a limited "special military operation".
Queues of up to 80 vehicles have been reported outside some Moscow petrol stations, with drivers waiting hours only to find pumps run dry or shut overnight. In response, Russia has begun importing petrol, an unusual step for a major oil-exporting nation, and has temporarily authorised sale of lower-grade Euro 2 fuel, banned since 2013, despite warnings it could damage modern engines. Separate Ukrainian strikes on warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia's equivalent of Amazon, have caused further disruption, and President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the attacks are causing damage, while playing down their overall impact.
In short
- Ukrainian drone strikes are causing severe Russian petrol shortages and long queues.
- Russia has resorted to importing fuel and selling banned low-grade petrol.
- Putin admits attacks cause damage but downplays their significance.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ukraine's strikes against Russian oil refineries are demonstrably degrading Russian energy capacity, forcing a major oil exporter to import fuel—an extraordinary step—whilst resorting to authorising fuel banned for over a decade. The visible queues and shortages bringing tangible, daily inconvenience to ordinary Russians directly contradict official narratives of a "limited" conflict; the war is now causing material hardship that citizens cannot ignore. This represents meaningful progress toward undermining Russian capacity to sustain the conflict.
The case against
Temporary fuel shortages, whilst visible and frustrating, do not represent fundamental strategic collapse or loss of Russian resolve. Russia's capacity to adapt rapidly—authorising alternative fuels, arranging imports, maintaining overall distribution—demonstrates that such supply disruptions remain manageable pressures rather than system-breaking failures. Consumer inconvenience is consistent with any protracted conflict; shortages alone do not demonstrate impending Russian defeat or that the conflict is unsustainable.
Explained simply
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and fighting has since extended beyond the front line through attacks on infrastructure in both countries. Ukraine has used drones to strike Russian oil refineries, which process crude oil into petrol and other fuels.
Vladimir Putin leads Russia, where the government describes the war as a “special military operation”. Russia is a major oil producer and exporter, so importing petrol is unusual. Fuel shortages can affect daily travel and business, making the war’s effects more noticeable to people in Russia.